![]() counties through July 2020, researchers found an increase in interquartile range (IQR) of 4.6 ppb of NO 2 to be associated with a 16.2% (95% CI: 8.7%, 24.0%) increase in mortality rate and an 11.3% (95% CI: 4.9%, 18.2%) increase in case-fatality rate ( Liang et al., 2020). In another recent study of COVID-19 in 3122 U.S. They reported that each 1 µg/m −3 increase in PM 2.5 concentration was associated with an 11% increase in COVID-19 mortality rate (95% CI: 6%, 17%). (2020a) reported associations between county-level COVID-19 mortality rates in 3089 counties through June 2020 and long-term average (from years 2000 to 2016) PM 2.5 concentration across the United States. In addition, minority populations are more likely to live in areas where there is greater air pollution ( Ailshire and García, 2018, Collaco et al., 2020, Gaither et al., 2019).īuilding on past research demonstrating an association between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and air pollution ( Cui et al., 2003), Wu et al. A higher prevalence of metabolic disorders (such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) in these populations likely contributes to more severe disease ( Commodore-Mensah et al., 2018, Divens and Chatmon, 2019) and death from COVID-19 ( Du et al., 2020). populations are disproportionately exposed to SARS-CoV-2, as they are more likely to serve as essential workers ( Martinez et al., 2020, Rogers et al., 2020) and to live in crowded conditions ( Burr et al., 2010, Memken and Canabal, 1994). For example, compared to non-Hispanic whites, cumulative COVID-19 hospitalization rates for Black and Latinx populations are approximately 4.7 and 4.6 times higher in the U.S., respectively ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Other factors such as age, race/ethnicity, and other sociodemographic characteristics appear to increase risk for COVID-19 infection, severity, and associated death ( Brandt et al., 2020). Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), a tracer of TRAP generated from tailpipe emissions ( Quiros et al., 2013, Zeldovich, 2015), has been found to impair the function of alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells, thereby increasing the risk of lung infections ( Neupane et al., 2010). These findings are consistent with prior research suggesting that air pollution, including traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), is associated with many respiratory morbidities (e.g., asthma, chronic pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory tract infections) ( Bai et al., 2018, Dales et al., 2008, Franklin et al., 2015, Jerrett et al., 2008, Sydbom et al., 2001), hospitalizations ( Neupane et al., 2010), all-cause mortality ( Beelen et al., 2008, Jerrett et al., 2005) and increased risk of respiratory viral infection ( Ciencewicki and Jaspers, 2007, Wang et al., 2020b). ![]() ![]() Recent evidence from China, Italy, England, and the United States suggest that exposure to air pollution may play a role in COVID-19 incidence and deaths ( Brandt et al., 2020, Coker et al., 2020, Li et al., 2020, Lippi et al., 2020, Travaglio et al., 2021, Wang et al., 2020a, Wu et al., 2020b, Zhang et al., 2020, Zhu et al., 2020). ![]() ![]() Extensive investigation has been conducted on the etiology of COVID-19, yet researchers are still determining how exposure risk factors may influence COVID-19 incidence and mortality. As of February 23rd, 2021, more than 113 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19, resulting in more than 2.5 million deaths ( World Health Organization, 2021). ![]()
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